Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid Player Rating and Match Reaction

[HCZ_Reborn]

No need to wait to do this


Raya 7.5 - Certainly wasn’t called to action as much as his counterpart but was big when he needed to be and made a couple of smart saves


Timber 8 - Ill be honest I thought that follow through from Mbappe in the first half was a bit spiteful, he marshalled Vini jnr well


Saliba 7.5 - Would give him higher but a few uncharacteristic brain farts in the first half, but he was one of a back four giving nothing away


Kiwior 8.5 - I’m giving him half a point more because he was a big worry factor but he was so calm, dispossessed Mbappe at one point.


Lewis-Skelly 8 - Played almost as a third central midfielder at times, without abandoning his defensive duties…added a bit of energy going forward


Partey 8 - Protected the back four well, that dickhead Camavinga stayed down long enough to make sure he got booked



Rice 9.5 - And that’s only because I never give a 10. But my problem with him is going to be deciding which of his free kicks were better, the curler or the thunderous strike. It wasn’t just the free kicks, it was everything he did on the pitch.


Odegaard 7.5 - Decent link up play with Saka


Saka 8.5 - Gave Alaba a tough night, and that’s despite not being fully fit


Martinelli 8 - They actually doubled up on him, that’s how much trouble he was causing


Merino 9 - What a lovely finish, and was massively unlucky not to score at least once before that. Actually played in front of goal second half as if he’d been a striker his whole career.



Subs


Trossard 7 - Fresh legs, kept us in control of things m


Tierney 7 - Did what he needed to do


White 7 - Blended into the back four and made sure Real Madrid didn’t get back into the tie



I’m almost frightened to say it, but we couldn’t could we?


This was the most consummate big match performance. We got the opener and then we smelt blood. I did wonder if it wouldn’t be our night when Courtois repelled our barrage on goal, but no fear. The london club produced the london bus effect, no goal from a direct free kick in years…two on the night.

That result did not flatter us

I repeat

That result did not flatter us. We deserved not only to win but to win by three clear goals. Mbappe was a bit of a menace in the first half but we kept him and Vini Jnr completely quiet in the second half.

A performance of control but also devestating ruthlessness

I envy all the fans who went to the Emirates tonight

[Marc Overmars]

The Emirates Stadium’s finest hour. Better than Barca 2011.

The first half was like how I expected it to go but that second half was incredible and beyond what anyone felt was possible. Declan Rice, take a fucking bow. Merino’s finish was also exceptional and it’s quite hilarious how he’s managed to deliver up front. Everyone put in such a shift, Arteta should be damn proud of that nights work.

At 3-0 I don’t think the tie is done simply because we probably have the hardest fixture in world football to navigate with Real Madrid away in the CL. Maybe it’s the pessimist in me but I still believe we have to be at our very best next week to ensure we progress.

Incredible night though, the kind of shit you live for as a football fan.

[HCZ_Reborn]

The Emirates Stadium’s finest hour. Better than Barca 2011.

The first half was like how I expected it to go but that second half was incredible and beyond what anyone felt was possible. Declan Rice, take a fucking bow. Merino’s finish was also exceptional and it’s quite hilarious how he’s managed to deliver up front. Everyone put in such a shift, Arteta should be damn proud of that nights work.

At 3-0 I don’t think the tie is done simply because we probably have the hardest fixture in world football to navigate with Real Madrid away in the CL. Maybe it’s the pessimist in me but I still believe we have to be at our very best next week to ensure we progress.

Incredible night though, the kind of shit you live for as a football fan.

We absolutely shouldn’t treat the tie like it’s done with, but we haven’t conceded more than two goals in over 15 months and Madrid have never overturned a three goal first leg deficit

And yeah I think this tops Barca.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

One thing I've really disliked about Artetaball for so long is the way it seems to have sapped individuality and ingenuity in a bunch of gifted players. 90% of the time, we win because the system prevails and we score goals that you can predict if you watch our games regularly.

Funnily, the system actually did quite well and if not that Courtois is a big game player, we'd had been 2 or 3 goals ahead even before Rice's freekick. But we weren't, and it felt like the usual thing was going to play out

I can't understate, that the fact the players took it upon themselves to reach deep and produce the kind of goals we are no longer use to, made this performance very special indeed.

Real Madrid, our opposition, has dominated and been the most successful side in Europe for ages without relying on any particular system unlike their eternal rivals Barca, who have achieved less with the system centric approach. No matter what odds they've faced (red cards, goal deficits, injuries, tactics) they've consistently had various players stepping up with unbelievable performances in these crunch games to save the day.

This performance brings hope, as it seems we might be getting there soon.

Bravo.

[Ollie the Optimist]

I’d give Lewis Skelly a 15/10.

To produce that kind of performance at only 18 against one of the world’s best forward line. Outstanding.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Wow, just WOW!!!!

Awesome from everyone, so proud of them all

[Letters]

We absolutely shouldn’t treat the tie like it’s done with, but we haven’t conceded more than two goals in over 15 months and Madrid have never overturned a three goal first leg deficit

And yeah I think this tops Barca.
When Rice came back out for an interview pitchside he said that Arteta was telling them it’s not job done. Pleased by that, it’s absolutely the right attitude.

Still can’t quite believe last night. It’s the biggest “pinch me” moment since that England 5-1 in Munich. And yes it definitely tops the Barca result which, fun fact, was in the same week I met MrsL and got offered the job I now have.

[HCZ_Reborn]

When Rice came back out for an interview pitchside he said that Arteta was telling them it’s not job done. Pleased by that, it’s absolutely the right attitude.

Still can’t quite believe last night. It’s the biggest “pinch me” moment since that England 5-1 in Munich. And yes it definitely tops the Barca result which, fun fact, was in the same week I met MrsL and got offered the job I now have.

Yep been a couple of bloody hell moments

Inter 5-1 at the San Siro still stands out, was in my second year of Uni watching that in halls with a load of other Arsenal supporters

Beating Real at the Bernabéu of course


Ironically, I think I was in Scotland for the 5-1 England game…though BBC Scotland did show the game live

[Marc Overmars]

I think we need to give Partey a contract extension. Knowing our luck he’ll sign and then have a year plagued by injury again, but when he’s fit and playing consistently there aren’t many better than him in that role. Let Jorginho go and replace him with Zubimendi by all means, but we are going to be struggle to find a replacement for Partey as well.

[IBK]

Appreciate the player ratings, but I think this is a team performance and result that simply requires massive flowers to all of our players on the pitch.

This was Arteta's Stage 5. A team and a system performing at the very top level. It stuck me how what we have often seen as ponderous attacking build up in other games suddenly looked calculated to entice RM out and create openings. How pressing high up the pitch suddenly seemed so effective, and again a calculated risk that (but for one or two moments - this was RM after all) did not simply make us look vulnerable to the counter.

Is this possible every time we step on the pitch? No - and we do need to find a way past EPL low blocks, and not just come alive when teams play more openly. But last night (and also the comments that have been made by opposition managers and players in recent weeks about how hard we are to play against) convinces me that there has been further progress, and that we can push on from a season where circumstances rather than the manager's methods have denied us the league.

Oh, and it's also worthwhile giving Arteta his props for the preparation for this game. Last weekend showed a departure from Arteta simply playing his first choice 11 in every game and his player management worked very well when it came to this tie. If this lesson has also been learned, then there is even more reason for optimism going forwards.

[Chippy]

That result did not flatter us. We deserved not only to win but to win by three clear goals. Mbappe was a bit of a menace in the first half but we kept him and Vini Jnr completely quiet in the second half.

A performance of control but also devestating ruthlessness

I envy all the fans who went to the Emirates tonight[/QUOTE]

I do not expect any sympathy.....but I turned down a ticket for the game :ilt:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Well collectively as you say there was something that some of us (and not unfairly) have bemoaned the lack of and that’s ruthlessness. They say you’re at your most vulnerable when you’ve just scored, I think we were the opposite of vulnerable we were predatory. The flurry of shots that were cleared off the line or saved by Courtouis was frustrating, but at the same time they were great to see….we absolutely weren’t content with a 1-0 goal lead because we correctly saw this as a European tie and not a one off match.
I’ve been critical of us continuing to play Merino up front, but the way he set himself for shots as well as the way he took his goal….thats the body language of a striker, that’s what you want to see from a front man.


We were patient in getting the lead but we became aggressive in looking to extend it. And to say it again for a third time that scoreline did not flatter us, it was pay off for positive and purposeful play

I simply couldn’t ask for any more than what was given last night

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I think we need to give Partey a contract extension. Knowing our luck he’ll sign and then have a year plagued by injury again, but when he’s fit and playing consistently there aren’t many better than him in that role. Let Jorginho go and replace him with Zubimendi by all means, but we are going to be struggle to find a replacement for Partey as well.

I second this, we really can't afford to lose both Jorginho and Partey at the same time and yeah, I believe Partey has much more to offer.

Whoever we are bringing in should at least have one season with Partey as cover.....and you could argue we've done that already with Merino, but he has hardly played the role since he's been here (no fault of his).

Also, Arteta leaving Partey out for the Everton game does show good man management.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I would say if we keep Partey it would mean we don’t sign Zubimendi (as we simply don’t need Partey, Zubimendi and Rice) my feeling is that Zubimendi is superior to both but I think we can all agree that the position isn’t the number 1 priority

Partey’s potential legal troubles could be the reason we are considering letting him go

However I think he’s done enough this season in order that he would be deserving of a contract extension based on performance alone

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I still can't get over those free kicks. I can't work out which one is better. The first had unbelievable bend, the second is literally sent on a postage stamp.

Fair fucks, I appreciate anyone who can fuck over Madrid. I do feel you need these type of goals in games like these; either quick fire goals, set piece goals or ones which have stastically just never happened. Or ot course a mixture of all.
The Merino finish was absolutely amazing as well btw.

I did have a tenner on Vinicius to have a shot on target. The prick

[Letters]

Second one was better, for me.
Literally couldn’t have placed it better.
And I’d bet he will never, ever do it again

[Mac76]

And I’d bet he will never, ever do it again

There's always someone who has to spoil it isn't there? :rolleyes: :lol:

Seriously, never say never, his other set pieces, e.g. corners, are pretty reliably preceise so why not FKs, i get that was pretty much perfect but there or therabouts will do ;)

[Marc Overmars]

The second one was picture perfect. Can watch it over and over and it just gets better.

He’s clearly one of the best strikers of the ball we have, you can see in how good his set pieces usually are and the type of goals he’s scored for us, very good at sweeping the ball with the inside of his boot.

As far as I’m concerned he is the defacto captain of this team. Odegaard just isn’t THAT guy in the same way Rice is.

[Mac76]

That result did not flatter us. We deserved not only to win but to win by three clear goals. Mbappe was a bit of a menace in the first half but we kept him and Vini Jnr completely quiet in the second half.



I thought Ancelotti showed himself and his team up with his negative tactics while as you say we gave them very little especially in the second half.

Such great performances - people talk about Partey but all of our defence was also excellent including Kiwior. And if we'd signed an £80m striker who'd put that Merino goal away like that everyone would be saying they were worth the money

It's got to be said that with the league title out of sight, it's meant Arteta was prepared to move things around more for Everton than maybe he would otherwise have done, as long as we can pub just a few more points, top four is safe, leaving us to really focus on the CL

it's on :good:

[Niall_Quinn]

What a match lads! Above all else, a football match that gripped you, just like the matches of the past.

Arteta threw it to the wind. We could have got wasted playing those tactics, if Madrid hadn't been shit scared of us going in. But Arteta had faith in his players and every last one of them delivered to the maximum. Kiwior - they weak link. Didn't turn out that way. The star-struck Skelly - not so much. Martinelli, the off-form player - not so much. But there was one player who really, really surprised me. Partey. That's the best holding midfield performance I have seen this season. Haven't seen them all, but from what I have seen. He displayed the discipline that infuriatungly escapes him in the PL? Why? How? 10 out of 10 performance. And we're letting him go? For Zubi? Is Zubi really better than that if Partey can focus and stay that disciplined? Grass is alway greener when open pasture already exists but hasn't been explored (Probably an old Chinese proverb).

Anyway, you'll never see two better FKs that those in one match. Never happened before, never will again. That's football at its peak - the best you can get. How Rice managed it, no idea. That he manged it, well done son take a bow, as a well know and much missed properly misogynist commentator would say. When are we getting those effing women out of our sport btw? Go and make coffee!

Saka - out for 3 months. 10x better than Mbappe. Never rated Mbappe. No Henry, that's for sure. I'm sure he's a good player, but it ends there. Don't want him here with all his baggage. He's more of a PR stunt than a footballer. Obviously he's ruined Ancelotti's gameplan for Madrid. Everything went to him and he fucked it all up? Bad night? No. Saw him on occasions before. Pure hype. Sake = real deal.

Merino - WTF? He might beat Havertz on the scorers chart. Bloke got asked to do an impossible job and he's making a fist of it. Didn't get in the box for the tap-ins, sure. But that finish. Imagine if Mbappe had done it? Damdn, the newspaper headlines. Wonder goal!

Should have been 5 or 6. We smashed them. Worst Real side I have seen in years. Mostly because of Mbappe and that other bloke up front who can't kick a ball, Vini-something. Useless. Or else he's been screwed having to play second fiddle to the marketing product that is Mbappe.

Just goes to show. Let's leave Isak and Sesko on the shelf and get ourseselves a good honest, real deal, Gyokeres.

Magical night. Still wondering how we haven't found that form to overhaul a very ordinary Liverpool in the PL.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Just goes to show. Let's leave Isak and Sesko on the shelf and get ourseselves a good honest, real deal, Gyokeres.

Magical night. Still wondering how we haven't found that form to overhaul a very ordinary Liverpool in the PL.

Couldn't agree more with this, though I maintain that the only reason why we aren't competing with the Scousers is because we couldn't even be bothered to get even the most average of PL standard strikers as backup.

It would be be lovely to get Isak (Sesko's goal record is nothing special), but when you have a far cheaper Mr Reliable like Gyokeres with so much still to prove, it would be stupid not to try.

[Letters]

Prediction:
For the next year a ripple of excitement will go around The Emirates every time we have a free kick in a promising area.
And Rice will keep smacking them into the wall or Row Z.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Prediction:
For the next year a ripple of excitement will go around The Emirates every time we have a free kick in a promising area.
And Rice will keep smacking them into the wall or Row Z.

And then Odegaard will be put back on free kick duties and score a blinder :lol:

[Mac76]

that other bloke up front who can't kick a ball, Vini-something. Useless.

Maybe because I was there and caught up just watching the game in a very pure way, rather than taking much notice of who was who, I literally never actually noticed him on the night, I mean he must have done something, but I never found myself thinking 'oh that's Vini JR'

[IBK]

Well collectively as you say there was something that some of us (and not unfairly) have bemoaned the lack of and that’s ruthlessness. They say you’re at your most vulnerable when you’ve just scored, I think we were the opposite of vulnerable we were predatory. The flurry of shots that were cleared off the line or saved by Courtouis was frustrating, but at the same time they were great to see….we absolutely weren’t content with a 1-0 goal lead because we correctly saw this as a European tie and not a one off match.
I’ve been critical of us continuing to play Merino up front, but the way he set himself for shots as well as the way he took his goal….thats the body language of a striker, that’s what you want to see from a front man.


We were patient in getting the lead but we became aggressive in looking to extend it. And to say it again for a third time that scoreline did not flatter us, it was pay off for positive and purposeful play

I simply couldn’t ask for any more than what was given last night

Nailed it mate. One of the main differences between the Madrid game and many of our league games this season was that our players looked lazer focussed on scoring. Not just on keeping possession and looking for the perfect opening, or putting safety above all else. This is why I said earlier that this is surely what Stage 5 of Arteta's project is supposed to look like. What many of us have been frustrated by is that we have the talent to put in menacing performances like this, but it has often seemed as though we lack the confidence in our ability going forwards. Rice; Merino; Nwaneri; Saka - all amazing strikers of the ball. Partey, Odegard; MLS; Kiwor (yes) - excellent progressive passers. Arteta's further evolution has to be taking the handbrake off a little and taking some risks...Tuesday night showed we can do it - even when playing a side as dangerous as RM. I want to see solidity at the Bernabau, but we need to remember also to be brave and trust in our offensive ability.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Maybe because I was there and caught up just watching the game in a very pure way, rather than taking much notice of who was who, I literally never actually noticed him on the night, I mean he must have done something, but I never found myself thinking 'oh that's Vini JR'

He got forward once as a result of Saka being a bit careless but other than that he was largely anonymous, but then again by the second half so was Mbappe


Although the idea of envying you anything seems quite ludicrous to me, but I did actually wonder if you were actually at the game….it is evident that you do seem to go to more games than most of us (I’ve barely gone to more than half a dozen since Wenger left..which is more by circumstance than design) I do mean what I said when I said I envy anyone who got to go to that game. I did toy with the idea of paying what most likely would have been over a grand to get a ticket, but basically I thought if I wasn’t going to pay that much to see Sumo Wrestling at the Royal Albert Hall which is a kind of once in a lifetime spectacle, I wouldn’t pay a grand for this which hopefully anyway starts to become a least a semi regular occurrence (playing and beating the likes of Real Madrid).

[WMUG]

One day I'll forgive my dad for forgetting to get tickets to this game.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

One day I'll forgive my dad for forgetting to get tickets to this game.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/55fbfee945e10a747793b43b279cd614/2347a7cb5fb6175e-67/s540x810/ea641116277c508c03a7400dd0dba47b619ae813.gif

:rose: